cultureXchange

Frauke Bender & Marie-Christine Dobro
  • 5.0 (2)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Podcast on Living and Working Abroad, Expat Life, Culture, Identity and Belonging. Co-Hosts: Frauke Bender, Professor for International Management, Facilitator for Intercultural Learning, Book Author and Marie-Christine Dobro, fellow expat, lived & worked internationally, Brand Builder and Marketer, team up for an intercultural exchange on topics targeted around living internationally. They share their own experiences, provide latest research insights and talk with special guests about their unique pathways and life stories. With their cultureXchange Podcast, the duo takes you on a journey around the globe and leaves you with new perspectives, ideas, and learnings on what it takes to successfully navigate across borders and cultures.

  1. 3D AGO

    #40 Deep Culture - From Comfort Zones to Culture Bumps with Joseph Shaules

    What happens when a small everyday moment suddenly feels uncomfortable, confusing, or just slightly “off”? Maybe it’s being asked to take off your shoes before entering someone’s home. Maybe it’s silence in a meeting that feels longer than it should. Maybe it’s navigating a train system that seems perfectly logical to everyone - except you. These moments are easy to dismiss. Easy to judge. Easy to label as “strange.” But what if these so-called culture bumps are not obstacles to overcome, rather, invitations to pause, reflect, and uncover the deeper patterns shaping how we see the world? *Culture Chat* In this episode, Frauke and Marie-Christine are joined by Joseph Shaules to explore how cultural understanding grows through everyday observations, embodied experience, and psychological awareness. Joseph introduces the concept of culture bumps: moments that interrupt our automatic cultural thinking. Drawing from his experiences in Japan, he explains how something as simple as taking off shoes before entering a house reflects a deeper cultural pattern - the distinction between inside and outside. These small disruptions reveal something profound, culture operates largely beneath our awareness. It is not just visible customs or traditions, it is embodied knowledge. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • What “culture bumps” are and why they matter • The difference between abstract cultural theory and embodied cultural knowledge • How deep culture shapes behavior unconsciously • Why technology can create cultural comfort zones • The psychological process behind adapting to foreign environments • Why asking “why” unlocks deeper cultural insight • How to slow down your thinking and avoid quick cultural judgments • What it really takes to develop an intercultural mind Key Takeaway: Culture is not something “out there.” It lives within us - in our bodies, perceptions, and automatic reactions. Intercultural growth begins when we notice disruption, reflect on it, and stay curious instead of defensive. Call to Action: This week, pay attention to one small “culture bump” in your life—at work, at home, or abroad. Pause. Ask why. Observe your own reaction. And share your reflections with us because intercultural learning starts with awareness. About Joseph Shaules: Joseph Shaules (PhD) has worked in intercultural education in Japan, Mexico and Europe for more than 25 years. He is a Specially Appointed Professor at Keio University’s GIC Center, in Tokyo. He is the director of the Japan Intercultural Institute. Books include: Transformation, Embodiment and Wellbeing in Foreign Language Education (Bloomsbury); Language, Culture and The Embodied Mind (Springer); The Intercultural Mind (Intercultural Press); and Deep Culture (Multilingual Matters). He is the creator and host of The Deep Culture Experience Podcast. Connect with Joseph: Email: jshaules@japanintercultural.org LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/josephshaules Japan Intercultural Institute: https://japanintercultural.org/ Deep Culture Experience podcast:https://japanintercultural.org/podcast-2/ Japan Intercultural Institute Masterclass: https://japanintercultural.org/masterclass/ Connect with cultureXchange: Instagram: @culture_x_change Website: https://www.culturexchangepodcast.com/ YouTube: @culturexchange.podcast LinkedIn: The cultureXchange Podcast Email: connectculturexchange@gmail.com Tune in and join Frauke and Marie-Christine for another thoughtful exchange across cultures.

    52 min

  2. FEB 27

    #39 Unconscious Bias - The Hidden Labels We Carry with Kristina Roppelt

    What is unconscious bias? And why does it matter so much in our personal and professional lives? Research from Harvard’s Project Implicit shows that millions of people worldwide demonstrate unconscious biases around race, gender, age, and more, even when they consciously reject stereotypes. In the workplace, these hidden assumptions still influence who gets hired, promoted, and heard in meetings - shaping careers, cultures, and everyday interactions in ways we often don’t realize. *Culture Chat* In this episode, Frauke and Marie-Christine dive deep into the hidden assumptions that shape how we perceive others, make decisions, and interact across cultures. Joined by their guest Kristina Roppelt, an expert in intercultural communication, they unpack how unconscious bias shapes global teams, gender dynamics, language power, and everyday interactions; sharing real stories, intercultural insights, and practical tools to challenge bias in action. *What you’ll learn in this episode:* • What unconscious bias is and how it forms from childhood • How cultural norms (like trust-based societies in Denmark and Germany) shape perception • Real examples of cultural, gender, and language biases in global workplaces • Why speaking English (or not) changes power dynamics in international teams • Common cognitive biases that influence hiring, collaboration, and leadership • The difference between cultural awareness and unconscious bias • Practical exercises to recognize and reduce bias, including: - Bias journaling - The “Veil of Ignorance” exercise - Flipping the script to challenge assumptions - Using kind and aware communication to address stereotypes • Organizational strategies for building inclusive and bias-aware cultures Key Takeaway: Bias is not a personal failure - it’s a human default. But just like democracy, it requires continuous awareness, reflection, and effort to maintain fairness and inclusion. Call to Action: Reflect on your own unconscious biases this week. Try one of the exercises discussed and share your insights with us - awareness is the first step toward inclusion. References: - Implicit associations test by Harvard: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/ - Unconscious bias training that works by Harvard University Press: https://hbr.org/2021/09/unconscious-bias- training-that-works - How to outsmart your own unconscious bias, TEDx: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP-cqFLS8Q4 About Kristina Roppelt: Kristina is an intercultural communication & soft skills consultant with 10 years of global business experience. She has lived, worked, and travelled to 63 countries and currently resides in Denmark. She is trusted by Maersk, Greenpeace, Hasbro, Goethe Institute and other corporations and international institutions to help with their international development or intercultural teams. She provides intercultural consultations, workshops, research, and business support for individuals and corporate clients. Kristina is the author of the book "50 intercultural questions". Connect with Kristina Roppelt: Website: https://kristinaroppelt.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinaroppelt/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristina_roppelt Kristina's Book: https://buymeacoffee.com/kristinaroppelt/e/416960 Kristina's posts on unconscious bias mitigation techniques: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kristinaroppelt_bias-awareness-tools-pt-2-activity-7421462724519432192-F7A4/ Kristina's Intercultural Workshops: https://kristinaroppelt.org/service-2 Connect with cultureXchange: Instagram: @culture_x_change https://www.instagram.com/culture_x_change/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/cultureXchange/100086022011425/ Website: https://www.culturexchangepodcast.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@culturexchange.podcast Email: connectculturexchange@gmail.com Linkedin: The cultureXchange Podcast

    1h 2m

  3. JAN 30

    #38 Global Leadership Today - Cultural Intelligence, Trust & Empathy with Victoria Rennoldson

    cultureXchange

    43 min

  4. 12/26/2025

    #37 Longevity for Global Souls - Blue Zones, Biohacking and the Future of Wellness with Ariane Sommer

    cultureXchange

    1h 2m

  5. 11/21/2025

    #36 When Change Hurts - The Hidden Grief of Life Transitions with Christina Babich

    cultureXchange

    30 min

  6. 10/17/2025

    #35 The Global Mindset - Leadership Through a Chinese Lens with Liu Liu

    cultureXchange

    41 min

  7. 09/19/2025

    #34 Beyond Words - The Art of Storytelling Across Cultures with Joanna Sell

    cultureXchange

    40 min

  8. 08/15/2025

    #33 The American Dream - Starting Over & Finding Success In The U.S. with Monique Menesi

    cultureXchange

    44 min
See All (40)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Podcast on Living and Working Abroad, Expat Life, Culture, Identity and Belonging. Co-Hosts: Frauke Bender, Professor for International Management, Facilitator for Intercultural Learning, Book Author and Marie-Christine Dobro, fellow expat, lived & worked internationally, Brand Builder and Marketer, team up for an intercultural exchange on topics targeted around living internationally. They share their own experiences, provide latest research insights and talk with special guests about their unique pathways and life stories. With their cultureXchange Podcast, the duo takes you on a journey around the globe and leaves you with new perspectives, ideas, and learnings on what it takes to successfully navigate across borders and cultures.

Information

  • Creator
    Frauke Bender & Marie-Christine Dobro
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    cultureXchange

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